Device for forming resilient articles while in a flexed condition



Sept. 9, 1958 F. A. KLASEK 2,851,081

DEVICE FOR FORMING RESILIENT ARTICLES WHILE IN A FLEXED common Filed May 28, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 /2 I x INVENTOR.

Y HAM/155K Sept. 9, 1958 F. A. KLASEK ,0

DEVICE FOR FORMING RESILIENT ARTICLES WHILE IN A FLEXED CONDITION Filed May 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w $19 26 v J9 20 v v INVENTOR. H65. FAKLASEK Sept. 9,-1958 F. A. KLASEK DEVICE FOR FORMING RESILIENT ARTICLES WHILE IN A FLEXED CONDITION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 28 1954 INVENTOR. EA. Km SEK Arr y DEVICE FQR FGRMENG RESILIENT ARTICLES WHHLE IN A FLEXED CONDITION Frank A, Klaselr, La Grange Park, Ill., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 28, 1954, Serial No. 433,247

8 Claims. (Cl. 153-21) This invention relates to a device for forming resilient articles and more particularly to a punch and die for forming right angular bends in straight wire springs of a switch part.

An object of the invention is to provide a device for working on resilient articles wherein the resiliency of the article is used'to permit the flexing of a portion thereof within its elastic limits into a working position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for forming a right-angular bend in a straight flexible part by moving the part over a curved surface into forming position where the right angle bend is made.

A further object of the invention is to provide a punch and die for forming a plurality of right-angular bends in a plurality of wires of a switch part.

A device illustrating certain features of the invention for forming right-angular bends in a plurality of straight wires of a switch part may include a die having a seat for supporting the body portion of a switch part in horizontal position with the wires thereon disposed horizontally and having a curved surface on which the wires may be flexed, a portion of said curved surface providing a sloping first forming surface with a second forming surface projecting at right angles therefrom, the two forming surfaces being disposed obliquely to a vertical plane for forming a rightangular bend in the wires. A punch mounted for vertical reciprocation relative to the die has a pair of pressure pads yieldably mounted thereon for engaging the body portion of the switch member and holding it in horizontal position on said die, and a rocker member yield ably mounted on the punch is adapted to engage the wires on the switch part and flex progressive portions thereoi into engagement with the curved surface of the die to position the end portions of the wires over the obliquely disposed forming surfaces of the die, and the punch has a pair of obliquely disposed forming surfaces cooperable with the forming surfaces of said die for forming a right angular bend in each of the wires which return to then horizontal unflexed straight line position when the punch is retracted. The punch and die may each have an additional obliquely disposed forming surface cooperable with each other and the other obliquely disposed forming surfaces to form a pair of right-angular bends in the wires, resulting in a Z shaped deformation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment, in which Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through the punch and die in closed position;

Figs. 2 and 3 are plan and side views, respectively, of a switch part having a plurality of wires in which a pair of right-angular bends are to be formed by the present device;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the device with the punch and die open;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l;

Patented Sept. 9, 1958 ice Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the punch; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the die.

The present device is designed to form a pair of rightangular bends 10 in the ends of a plurality of wires 11 of a switch part 12 which has a block 13 of insulating material molded around the wires. The block 13 has a pair of laterally extending ears on which are formed aligning apertures 15;

The forming device comprises a die 20 mounted on a die plate 21, which is supported on the bolster plate (not shown) of a punch press. A punch 23 is mounted on a punch plate 24, which is secured to the ram (not shown) of the punch press for reciprocation relative to the die. The punch and die are maintained in alignment with each other by the usual aligning pins (not shown). The die 20 has a supporting member 26 provided with a shallow groove 27, which forms a seat for supporting the block 13 of the switch part in a horizontal position and a pair of spring-pressed pins 28 mounted in the die are adapted to fit in the apertures 15 to align the switch part 12 in a predetermined position on the die. A pair of pressure pads 30-31 resiliently mounted on the punch for reciprocation therewith are' engageable with portions of the wires 11 on opposite sides of the block 13 for holding the switch part 12 in horizontal position on the die. The pressure pads 30 are mounted on headed rods 32 which are stressed for movement downwardly by springs 33.

The die 20 is provided with a curved surface 35, the upper portion of which engages the wires 11 adjacent the block 13 and the remainder of which slopes downwardly therefrom to provide an obliquely disposed forming surface 37. The die 20 has a relatively short forming surface 38 extending substantially at right angles to the forming surface 37 and another obliquely disposed forming surface 39 disposed substantially at right angles to the surface 38 and parallel to the forming surface 37. The punch 23 has a punch element 42 which has a pair of obliquely disposed forming surfaces 43 and 44 disposed at right angles to each other which are adapted to cooperate with the forming surfaces 37 and 38 of the die for forming a right-angular bend in the wires 11. The punch element 42 is slidably mounted for limited movement in the punch 23 and is stressed downwardly to its normal position by a spring 45. The punch 23 has an obliquely disposed forming surface 46 disposed at right angles to the forming surface 44 and substantially parallel with the surfaces 43 and 39 and cooperable with the forming surfaces 39, 38 and 44 to form a second rightangular bend in the wires 11.

Means are provided for engaging the wires 11 and flexing them into engagement with the curved surface 35 to position the ends thereof over the forming surfaces 37, 38 and 39 of the die and in position to be formed in respouse to movement of the punch 23. The means for pressing the wire against the curved surface 35 comprises a rocker plate 59 pivotally connected at one end to a headed rod 51 and at the other end to a pair of headed rods 52. The rod 51 is mounted in the punch for limited vertical movement and is stressed for downward movement by a spring 53 and the headed rods 52 are mounted for limited vertical movement and are stressed downwardly by springs 54. As shown in Fig. 4, the rocker plate 48 is maintained in a normally horizontal position in advance of and at a lower level than the end of a punch element 42, and as the punch 23 descends, the pressure pads 3d and 31 engage the wires of the switch part adjacent the block 13,. after which the rocker plate 50 engages the wires ll adjacent the block 13 and as the die continuesits downward movement, the rocker plate is progressively tilted and presses successive portions of the wires ll into engagement with the curved surface C3 35 of the die to position the end portions of the wires obliquely between the forming surfaces of the punch and die. Continued movement of the punch 23 downwardly causes the punch element 42 to engage the wire and form a right-angular bend therein in cooperation with the forming surfaces 37 and 38 of the die, after which the punch 23 advances a predetermined distance relative to the punch element 42 to cause the forming surface 46 thereof to form the second right-angular bend in the wires 11. In order to maintain the wires 11 in parallel relationship to each other during the flexing of the wires on the curved surfaces 35, the curved portion of the die is provided with grooves 56 for receiving the wires.

Any suitable means may be provided for feeding the parts into operative position on the die. In the embodiment shown herein, the switch part 12 is fed automatically by feed means including an upper guide bar 57 having a rib therein engageable in a groove 58 formed in the upper face of the block 13 of the switch part, and a lower stationary track 59 for supporting the switch parts 12 thereon. The stationary track 59 is cut away to receive the supporting member 26, which forms a continuation of the track. A feed bar 61 mounted for reciprocable movement on the upper guide bar 57 and having a plurality of pivoted feed pawls 58 is provided for advancing the switch part 12 into and away from an operative position in the punch and die. The supporting member 26 is mounted for vertical reciprocation on a pair of headed guide rods 64 mounted in the die for limited vertical movement and stressed for movement upwardly by springs 65 to a normal position horizontally aligned with the track 59 for receiving the switch parts as they are advanced and for supporting them at a level above the upper ends of the aligning pins 28. The switch parts 12 are advanced into operative position on the supporting member 26 when it and the punch 23 are in their raised positions. In response to the actuation of the press and the downward movement of the punch, the pressure pads 30 and 31 engage the switch part 12 and move it and the supporting member 26 to its lower position shown in Fig. 1 with the ends of the guide pins 28 in engagement with the aligning apertures 15 of the block 13.

The flexing of the wires 11 from their normally straight horizontal position to their curved position, as shown in Fig. 1, doe not impart a permanent bend to the wires inasmuch as the wires are not flexed beyond the elastic limit thereof and upon the return of the punch 23 to its upper position, the wires 11 return to their normal straight horizontal position.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for forming an angular bend in a straight flexible part comprising a punch and die mounted for reciprocation relative to each other and each having a pair of forming surfaces disposed at an angle to each other and obliquely to the direction of reciprocation for forming an angular bend in the part, said die having a seat engageable with a portion of said part for supporting said part in a normal position perpendicular to said direction of reciprocation and having a curved surface extending from one of said forming surfaces toward said seat and below portions of said part, means engageable with a portion of said part for holding the part on said seat in said normal position, and means yieldably supported for movement with said punch and in advance thereof for engaging a portion of said part and flexing it over said curved surface to position it obliquely between the forming surfaces of said punch and said die.

2. A device for forming an angular bend in a straight flexible part comprising a punch and die mounted for vertical reciprocation relative to each other, said punch having a pair of forming surfaces disposed at an angle to each other and obliquely to the direction of reciprocation, said die having a pair of forming surfaces disposed at an angle to each other and obliquely to said direction of reciprocation for cooperation with the forming surfaces of said punch for forming an angular bend in said palt, said die having a curved surface extending from one of said forming surfaces thereon and having a seat for supporting said part in a horizontal position with portions of the part disposed above said curved surface, means engageable with a portion of said part for holding the part on said seat in said horizontal position, a rocker plate, and means for yieldably supporting said rocker plate for movement with said punch and in advance thereof for engaging a portion of said part and flexing it over said curved surface to position it obliquely between the forming surfaces of said punch and said die.

3. A device for forming angular bends in the straight flexible Wire springs of a switch part comprising a punch and die mounted for reciprocation relative to each other, said punch having a pair of forming surfaces disposed at an angle to each other and obliquely to the direction of reciprocation, said die having a pair of forming surfaces disposed at an angle to each other and obliquely to said direction of reciprocation for cooperation with the forming surfaces of said punch to form angular bends in said part, said die having a curved surface extending from one of said forming surfaces thereon and having a seat for supporting said switch part in a normal position with the wire springs disposed perpendicular to said direction of reciprocation and above said curved surface, means movable with said punch for holding said switch part on said seat, a rocker plate having a flat surface engageable with the straight wire springs, and means for yieldably supporting said rocker plate for tilting movement on said punch and with said flat surface thereof disposed in a normal position in advance of the forming surfaces of the punch and in parallel relation to the wire springs of a switch part on said seat for engaging the wire springs and progressively flexing successive portions thereof against said curved surface to position it obliquely between the forming surfaces of said punch and said die.

4. A device for forming right angular bends in a plurality of parallel straight wire springs of a switch part comprising a punch and die mounted for vertical reciprocation relative to each other, said punch having a pair of forming surfaces disposed at right angles to each other and obliquely to the direction of reciprocation, said die having a pair of surfaces disposed at right angles to each other and obliquely to said direction of reciprocation for cooperation with the forming surfaces of said punch to form angular bends in said part, said die having a curved surface extending from one of said forming surfaces thereon and having a seat for supporting said switch part thereon in a normal position with the wire springs disposed horizontally over the curved surface, means movable with said punch for holding said switch part on said seat in said normal position, a rocker plate, means for yieldably supporting said rocker plate for movement with said punch and for tilting movement relative thereto and in advance thereof for engaging a portion of said part and flexing it over said curved surface to position it obliquely between the forming surfaces of said punch and said die, and parallel grooves in said curved surface for maintaining said wire springs in parallel relation to each other as they are being flexed.

5. A device for forming right angular bends in straight wire springs on a switch part comprising a punch and die mounted for vertical reciprocation relative to each other, said punch having a pair of oblique forming surfaces disposed at right angles to each other, said die having a pair of oblique forming surfaces disposed at right angles to each other for cooperation with the forming surfaces on said punch for forming right angular bends in said wire springs, said die having a curved surface extending from one of said forming surfaces thereon and having a seat for supporting the switch part in a normal position with the wire springs disposed horizontally and above said curved surface, means engageable with a portion of said switch part for holding it on said seat, a rocker plate having a flat surface engageable with the straight wire springs, a plurality of rods slidably mounted for vertical movement on said punch and pivotally connected to said rocket plate for supporting it for tilting movement, means for urging said rods and said rocker plate toward said die, means for arresting the movement of said plate to position it in advance of said forming surfaces on the punch and in substantially parallel relation to the wire springs of a switch part on said seat whereby in response to reciprocation of said punch and die said rocket plate serves to engage and flex the Wires over said curved surface to position an end portion thereof obliquely between the forming surfaces of said punch and said die.

6. A device for forming Z-shaped bends in straight wire springs of a switch part comprising a punch and die mounted for vertical reciprocation relative to each other, said die having a first, a second, and a third fiat obliquely disposed surface arranged to form a Z-shaped forming surface, said die having a curved surface extending from said first oblique surface and having a seat for supporting said switch part in a normal horizontal position with the Wire springs disposed horizontally above said curved surface, said punch having a Z-shaped forming surface cooperable with said forming surface on the die and having a punch element mounted for limited movement relative thereto, said punch element having first and second oblique surfaces cooperable with the first and second oblique surfaces of said die for forming an angular bend in said Wire springs, the oblique surfaces of said punch and punch element and said die cooperating to form a Z-shaped bend in the wire springs, means for yieldably maintaining said punch element in an advanced position relative to the punch to form one portion of said Z-shaped bend prior to another portion thereof, a rocker plate, and means for yieldably supporting said rocker plate for movement with said punch and in advance thereof for engaging said wire springs and flexing them progressively over said curved surface to position a portion thereof obliquely between the forming surfaces of said punch and said die.

7. In a device for reshaping an article having a substantially straight resilient portion, the combination of a pair of tools having cooperating working surfaces for forming a substantially right angular bend in the resilient portion of said article, means mounting said tools for reciprocable movement of one relative to the other, means for holding said article with said resilient portion between said tools in a first position substantially perpendicular to the path of reciprocation of the movable tool, and means for flexing said resilient portion of the article to a working position disposed between said tools and obliquely to said first position and to the said path of reciprocation.

8. In a device for working an article having a resilient portion, a pair of tools having complementary working surfaces for forming a substantially right angular bend in the resilient portion of said article, means for moving one of the tools relative to the other, means for feeding said article to a predetermined location with the resilent portion disposed between the tools in a first position, means for holding said article in said predetermined location, and means for flexing said resilient portion of the article to move the end thereof into a working position disposed between said tools and obliquely to said first position and to the path of movement of the movable tool.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 234,022 Geiger Nov. 2, 1880 736,834 Flinn Aug. 18, 1903 1,316,257 Snell Sept. 16, 1919 1,354,770 Little Oct. 5, 1920 1,550,824 Kuester Aug. 25, 1925 2,312,845 Nichols Mar. 2, 1943 2,476,595 Green July 19, 1949 

